What to Write in a Sympathy Card: 50 Caring Messages

Deciding what you want to write in a sympathy card is easy when you keep your message simple. When you write a sympathy card message, you want it to come from your heart with words that offer comfort.

Short Sympathy Card Messages

Sometimes, less is more when it comes to choosing what to write in a sympathy card. A short sympathy card message should be concise and clear.

• "My heart is with you, always."
• "Sending you love and prayers."
• "We love you and are praying for your family."
• "May God grant you peace and comfort."
• "Praying for you and your family during this difficult time."
• "Call us any time of the day if you need anything!"
• "We're here for you!"
• "Our hearts are broken."
• "We miss you and are thinking of you."
• "We hold you in our hearts during this difficult time."

Meaningful Sympathy Messages

Meaningful condolences for the death of father, mother or other loved one can include the name of the deceased with a personal message about them. Other types of sympathy message that have a special meaning focus on your relationship with the deceased or their loved ones.

• "[Insert name] was such a wonderful person."
• "I shall greatly miss [insert name}."
• "[Insert name] will be missed by all of us."
• "I was heart broken to learn of [insert name]'s passing."
• "I don't know what I'm going to do without my fishing buddy."
• "[Insert name] was such a dynamic force in our lives."
• "[Insert name] will always be with you."
• "[Insert name] is now golfing on the best course."
• "I'll never forget how much [insert name] loved our family beach vacations.
• "One day we'll be with [insert name] and have that big heavenly barbecue."

Uplifting Sympathy Card Messages

You can write an uplifting sympathy card message with a few carefully chosen words of comfort. Your sentiment should focus on being uplifting and offering hope to those grieving. If you share the same religious belief, you'll want to reaffirm it with your message.

• "We find solace that in faith through Jesus Christ, we have everlasting life."
• "God loves and comforts those in sorrow."
• "In faith through Christ, [insert name] now shares in the kingdom of God."
• "May you walk beside God and Christ during this time of sorrow."
• "May God's love fill your heart."
• "Jesus promised whoever believes in him shall have eternal life."
• "May God grant you the peace that passes all understanding."
• "In God, we find faith and eternal comfort."
• "May God bless you and your family during this difficult time."
• "God's love has no boundaries."

What to Write in a Sympathy Card for Someone You Don't Know Well

Many times you may need to send a sympathy card for someone you don't know very well. There are a few short but meaningful messages you can write in a sympathy card.

• "Thinking of you during your time of loss."
• "My heartfelt sympathy for your loss."
• "My deepest condolences."
• "My you find comfort for your sorrow."
• "My thoughts and prayers are with you."
• "I'm so sorry for your loss."
• "Blessings to you and your family."
• "May you find peace during this time of sorrow."
• "May peace be with you."
• "Sending good thoughts of comfort and peace."

What to Say Instead of Sorry for Your Loss?

While the term sorry for your loss is an acceptable sympathy card message, you may want to say something more personal. A good sympathy card message can be personalized. If the deceased was a close friend, you may interject an aspect of the deceased's personality. For example, if the deceased was known to be a talker, you could play on that aspect with a short comment, while remaining sensitive to the family's grief.

• "[Insert name] is probably talking St Peter's ears off."
• "There's one more angel in heaven tonight."
• "[Insert name] was the best coach I ever had."
• "[Insert name] inspired me to pursue a science degree."
• "[Insert name] always had a smile and kind word for everyone."

What Do You Say at the End of a Sympathy Card?

You may want to add something more than just your name at the end of a sympathy card. You want to choose an appropriate closing that represents your relationship to the loved ones of the deceased.

• "Thinking of you."
• "All my prayers."
• "Yours in Christ."
• "All my love."
• "May God bless."

How to Sign a Sympathy Card

The way you sign a sympathy card depends on how well you know the family of the deceased. If you're a close friend, then you will simply sign your first name. However, if the family has another close friend with your same first name, you may either add the first letter of your last name, like Jim M., or write your full name. If you aren't a family member or close friend, simply write your full name. If you have a nickname, you can place it in quotes between your first and last name.

What Is a Good Sympathy Card Message to Write?

There are many good messages to write on a sympathy card. When you take time to consider your relationship to the deceased and their loved one, you will have a better idea about what you want to convey with your message.